Rather than carbon footprint, it would be much more accurate and comprehensive to consider ecological footprint:

1. https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/ecological-footprint

2. https://www.footprintcalculator.org

3. https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=WVNEAQAAQBAJ

4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X15005269

5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800908003376

Dr Ilan Kelman thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Solar power produces no emissions during generation itself, and life-cycle assessments clearly demonstrate that it has a smaller carbon footprint from "cradle-to-grave" than fossil fuels. Solar panels don't produce emissions while generating electricity, but they still have a carbon footprint. Mining and transport of materials used in solar panel production and the manufacturing process represent the most significant sources of emissions. Solar panels emit around 50g of CO2 per kWh produced in its first few years of operation. By the third year of having solar panels, most solar panels become carbon neutral. This is still roughly 20 times less than the carbon output of coal-powered electricity sources. Wind, nuclear, tidal, hydropower, geothermal, solar, and wave energy have the lowest carbon footprint. Per kWh produced, the energy sources emit between 11 and 48 gCO2 on a life-cycle basis. Electricity produced from solar yields no emissions, no greenhouse gases, and no fossil fuels, but it does require a certain amount of energy to make the solar panels. Luckily, the energy they produce far exceeds what it takes to manufacture them. As a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production. Per kWh produced, renewable energy emits between 11 and 740 gCO2 on a life-cycle basis. Depending on the type (solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, tidal, wave, biomass), it can combat climate change and have various environmental benefits, but May still produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. Oil Energy Has the Highest Carbon Footprint at 970 grams of CO2/kWh on a Life-Cycle Basis. Oil energy comes from the combustion of petroleum, fossil field also known as crude oil. Renewable energy is widely viewed as playing a central role in climate change mitigation and a clean energy transition. Most kinds of renewable energy are also “carbon-free”: they do not emit CO2 or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The use of solar energy reduces the amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide (SO2) which contributes to two– third of the acidic rain and greenhouse effect. Acidic rain harms the soil and vegetation, kills organisms living in the land and water and reduces the productivity of the soils. Installing a battery storage system can make your solar panels more sustainable and efficient. This system will provide backup power when there isn't enough sunlight to generate electricity from photovoltaic cells. Renewable energy generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution and diversifying energy supply and reducing dependence on imported fuels that creating economic development and jobs in manufacturing, installation, and more. Solar produces less life-cycle GHG emissions than conventional fossil fuel energy sources. While there may be some GHG emissions produced during the manufacturing and recycling of the solar system, the generation of energy results in zero GHG emissions and zero environmental impact.